NOMINATION: Performance of the Year - Notated Composition
For the performance of a single Australian work, showcasing the performer(s)’ success in revealing the nature and intention of a composition with clear notated instructions for the performer. Works with significant improvisatory aspects should instead be submitted for Performance of the Year: Jazz / Improvised Music.
A work is defined as a single complete musical composition, or expression. This includes music with movements or sub-works (i.e. song cycles), installations, and real-time compositions (improvised music).
If you believe your performance to be nominated in the wrong category or the details of your nomination to be incorrect, please contact the AMC via email at awards@australianmusiccentre.com.au before proceeding with the nomination.
Art Music Award guidelines →
Nominee
Camerata Queenslands Chamber Orchestra, Lior, Lou Bennett
Nominee email
Jacquiline.fraser@camerata.net.au
Title of the work
Ngapa William Cooper
Composer(s) of the work
Nigel Westlake, Lior Attar and Lou Bennett
Librettist(s) or source author(s)
Sarah Gory (additional lyric content)
Performance Date
7/9/2024
Venue
QPAC Concert Hall.
Nominator Statement
Camerata. Lior and Lou Bennetts performance of Ngapa William Cooper in Brisbane in 2024 led to the tag line: Loving , touching and bold, the standing ovation which greeted this performance was well deserved in Gillian Wills 5-star review for Limelight. I agree that it was an outstanding performance of this moving work, a work that is fast becoming part of the staple repertoire of Australian orchestras and ensembles. The huge audience in attendance (QPAC Concert Hall was nearly full) were clearly moved by the music and the way the performers projected its messages and emotions. While other groups have given performances of this work, what was particularly noteworthy about this one was that it was played in the larger, chamber orchestra version without a conductor. Also, the precision was impressive and there were exceptional performances from the pianist, Alex Raineri and percussionist, Nozomi Omote (Westlakes piano and percussion parts are notoriously difficult in both this and the earlier work Compassion). Cameratas string playing was both virtuosic and sensual and the connection between the performers in this concert was palpable; above all, the performance was utterly compelling for the 100% commitment from every artist on stage, everyone wanting to be there, everyone wanting to do it justice.
It is worth mentioning that the first half introduced each artist in beautiful performances of Max Richter, and songs by Lior and then Lou Bennett with new string arrangements by Michael Patterson and others by Erkki Veltheim, Iain Grandage and Michelle Wood. This approach meant that the Ngapa William Cooper work was very much the central focus of the concert for the large and varied audience in attendance.
The story of Ngapa William Cooper was also read to the audience ahead of the performance in what seemed to be an attempt to break down any barriers to fully experiencing the musical and emotional intent of this music.
All of the elements of this performance were there: beauty of sound required, technical mastery and sincere commitment to story telling and projection of the music from every artist on stage. In my opinion it was one of the best performances from any group I heard in 2024 an is worthy of recognition.
Nominee
Camerata Queenslands Chamber Orchestra, Lior, Lou Bennett
Nominee email
Jacquiline.fraser@camerata.net.au
Title of the work
Ngapa William Cooper
Composer(s) of the work
Nigel Westlake, Lior Attar and Lou Bennett
Librettist(s) or source author(s)
Sarah Gory (additional lyric content)
Performance Date
7/9/2024
Venue
QPAC Concert Hall.
It is worth mentioning that the first half introduced each artist in beautiful performances of Max Richter, and songs by Lior and then Lou Bennett with new string arrangements by Michael Patterson and others by Erkki Veltheim, Iain Grandage and Michelle Wood. This approach meant that the Ngapa William Cooper work was very much the central focus of the concert for the large and varied audience in attendance.
The story of Ngapa William Cooper was also read to the audience ahead of the performance in what seemed to be an attempt to break down any barriers to fully experiencing the musical and emotional intent of this music.
All of the elements of this performance were there: beauty of sound required, technical mastery and sincere commitment to story telling and projection of the music from every artist on stage. In my opinion it was one of the best performances from any group I heard in 2024 an is worthy of recognition.